Highway construction



Oct. 9,1923. 1,469,939

H. M. KNIGHT HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 2'7. 1919 Fatente-d Got. 9, 1923; V I I nn rssfsrerss mmm mee HERBERT in. n ne-HT, or i onroternnnw mnsny.

- HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION. e anat on filed October 27 1919. seriaino. 333,562. I

To all 107mm it may concern. l i I tracked roadway 'without the superficial, I Be it known that I, HERBERT M.' KNIGHT, and resilient surfaces with openings there'- a citizen of the United States, and resident in showing the crossties in position before 55 of lVlontclair, in the county otEssexfan'd the introduction o'f the parallel tracks. State of New Jersey, have, invented certain Figure 4 isa plan view showing the new and useful Improvements in Highway track-sand cross ties in position with there Constructions, of which the following a silient wearing materialj'upon the tracks I specification, and without .thecheaper inter-track mate-560.

My invention relates to: improvements in rial in place.

highways constructed in part or whole I Figure 5 is a croSS Section of such a roadl of precast units I way ,on'line 5--5 oijFig' 1. I I One of the objects of my invention is to Figure 6 is a cross section of aside track.

provide parallel tracks or runways for and joint as at 6+6-of Fig. Q'and Fig; 7. l

treads of wheels of vehicles atdefinite 'dis- I Figure .7 is a longitudinal seotionthrough 15 tances apart. Another object is to unite the a side track at a joint on line 7". ofFig-ffi.

cross ties connecting the parallel runways Figure 8 is a plan view o'f suchfa joint together by articulated keys, soas to perwith a portion of the. resilient wearing surniit a. latitudeof adjustment infinstalliiig. face-removed tosliow certain features of Still another object is to provide an inde- .the joint. 20 'structible wearing surface un'derthetreads Figure 9 is a crossffsection of a center of vehicles of limited width-giving a lim; track'for a two track IQadway, as at point ited opening between said tracks of inde- .9-9of Fig. 2. Y 1 structible wearing surface, to bev con- Figure 10 is a cross section of the uniting structed of cheaper and less resistant matekey holding, and connecting the various 25 rials. A- it'urther object of theinvention is units togethe'zr. I I

to provide a roadway of parallel tracks Figure 11 is a I-cross section of a single with a resilient strip of wearing surface .track road way as'ait 1 l-I11of Fig. 12; I upon said tracks. [Another object of the Figure 12 is a plani'view'ofja 'conipleted said invention is to reduce the costof pave single track highway; i i L V ments limiting the amount of costly non- Figure 13 is a sectional plan view of a abrasive wearing surface to that portion of single track highway without the resilient the roadway on which vehicles usually wearing surface in'thetracks. I travel, and constructing the balance-of the Figure 114 is a sectional plan view ofa85 pavement of a less resistant material. A single track roadway with openings left to further object offthe invention flS to provide show the ties. in position without the tracks such atype of roadway as that some. porand key in said t'ies.- I

tion, not greaterthan one half thereofjcan Figure 15 is'a plan View of singletrael; Y be constructed and put intooperationwhile highway with the resilient material in'tlie 9o the-other ortion is in service or while that tracks, but without the inter-track surfacing 40 portion 0" the original pavement or'roadniater-ial. 1 I

way, is being used for traflic. I l/Vhile thematerial of'which these tracks I The accompanying drawings Nos. 1-15 are and ties will probably be constructed is conillustrative of theinvention j erete, it'is' distinctly understood 'that this Figure l isa plan view er acompleted invention does not limit itself to the use roadway having runways so disposed as that of this material either wholly or partly in two vehiclescanpass at all stagesfthereoi. the construction 'thereot,1but igs'intended'to- Figure 2 is a section of plan view of such cover its applica'tionjto any forinof highway a-roattway without the resilient wearing construction andniaterial to which it fis surface uponthe tracksan-d without the applicable. I 50 cheaper superficial material between the "Referring tothe' drawin" ,in' which siinr tracks. ii I larfig-urjesreter to simile p'arts,"1 is,a-"side; Figure '3 is a plan View of a double I rack competesf a l st material such ,I

' the two center vsaid trough l3 a wearing :insaid trough; v 7 surface between the side tracks or between the side and center tracks; 17 a superficially ridges on ties foras concrete; 2 are precast central tracks composed of similar material; 8 are ties of v precast material, having reentrant grooves; 4 is a groove in the upper surface at predetermined points; 5 is a re-entrant groove of the side and central tracks and adapted to register with the re-entrant groove 4: of the ties; 6 is a key adapted to enter the aligned re-entrant grooves 4 and 5 and unite the sides and tracks together; '7 is a joint on the side center tracks; 9 are re entrant grooves in aligned registering re-entrant grooves 9 and unite the center tracks together longitudinally; 11 are dowel holes in the ends ofcontiguous tracks; 12 are dowels insertedin said dowel holes;-13'is a trough or depression in the top of said side and center'tracks 1 and 2; 14; undercut walls for retaining within strip, 15 placed 16 a superficiall treated treated. surface on the'shouldcrs exterior to the side tracks; 18 is" an upward projection 'from the side of the side tracks to form curb or other retaining structure alongthe sald side tracks; 19 185111 asphalt c cementitious, or bituminous filhng around said hey 6 and within said r e-entrant grooves a and 57; 2.0 pouring holes 1n said side and central tracks for the purpose or" pouring said cementitious material into the space between the said units and around'an d within the said keys and reentrant grooves; 2l locating the purpose of locating them accuratel in osition so that' the reentrant grooves of certain definite lines,

he tracks and ties-will properly register; 22 isfthe line of the original surface of theground before the introduction of this improved pavement; 23, bottom cross ribs, are introduced to' prevent crawling of the track on heavy grades.

7 In the construction of highways for auto mobile and motor rtraflic 'a new and less abrasive type of pavement than that formerly sufficient for horse drawn vehicles, has become a necessity Resistant pavement; is expensivefin first cost thereby limiting the amount of pavement which can be'laid,especially in the rural districts on account ofjthe high cost of installation' Trafiic over most highways, develops along If confined to these lines byreason of a superior traffic way or wearing surface, it becomes unnecesary to cover the entire width of the 'road'bed of the highway ant material but this resistant material can be confined to certain narrow, strips along which travel will proceed.

with a continuous sheetof resistlongitudinal The V place between said strips if filledfwith a'less resistant material will reduce the cost of naedoso tracks; 8 is joint on the tracks 7 which register to{ of precastmaterial.

gether; 10 is a key adapted to enter-the the roadway withoutin any way interfering with its value and giving equally good traiho conditions to those existing where the road over which the entire width of the travel way has been covered with the more expensive resistant i material. I I r a i In the operation of constructing a road of the type herein described, it built for the passage of a single vehicle and without provision for a contlnuousstreain or traiiic in both directions, two longitudinal tracks or ways are provided, united together by a tie In building this roadway, absolute adherence to the original surface of the roadway is not required but QX-V cavationiis made across the width of the I existing roadway only to such depthas is necessary for the introduction of theties.

Before these are accurately spaced the longi tudinall tracks are laid upon the ,tie's keys having been introduced into the re-entrant grooves along the under side of the tracks previous to placing in the roadway, but without fastening into the track. The l reys are slid-ably movable along the traclrunti they enter there-entrant groove upon the upper surface of the netherwhich both ties and tracks are aligned by means of the locating ridges 21 and tamped tograde,

After the ties and tracks are in place,- a cementitious or bituminous materialiis poured throughpouring holes 20 so as-to surround the keys and fill the re entrant grooves thereby binding the track and ties together. The balance ofthe roadway between the tracks is then filled with ordinary:

earth or other suitable materialjto point ust below the crown of the-finished roadway when any type of road material, such as broken stone and water or oil, bound macada m, can be introduced.completingand crowning the roadway between the two tracks and extendingoutwardly, it designed,

to form the shoulders "17 of any desired width. a

' In the construction'ot a two track roadwaywhere provision is made for, continuous I that after the introduction of halfof the roadway, traffic may be diverted to the c'ornthe plete'd half while the construction pf remaining. half is under way. v V It is evident from' Fig. 5 and Figr-ll thatat a time, thereby leaving the other i mes-e39 by the process herein set forth, it is possible to construct anew highway withoutexcavating below the ground surface or of the original highway, except for so much as may be required for the placingof the ties. Material excavated for this purpose being placed over said tics and around said tracks" site ofthe work, the excavated material as isoften the case with present road'constructional methods and allows for the arr lization of most, if not all, of the material as filling in making 'the'new roadway, and also materially reduces the amount of .exca vation required. it is seen that atj oint locations resting upon ties, the joints are lapped and in order to preserve the aline ment of said joints. dowel holes are left intov which dowels'are introduced thereby preventing the crawling of the track and maintaining it in proper longitudinal and transverse alignment. On ieai'y grades, despite this method of COIL struction, difficulties might ensuein the crawling of the track, if the entire construction at: the joint were not such as to make ties and track work together and for this purpose ribs transverse to the track are constructed so asto engage the side, of the ties 3 in case of crawling and cause the ties and tracks to work-in unison.

t is expected that the tracks of this road:-

bed would be constructed of concrete, eitherreinforced or not, and, necessarily whatever material of constructio-njwas used in the making of the tracks, the joints thereof would be exposed unless covered up by some material, suchexposure resulting in disintegration from frost andxwearing from traffic. Prgain in certain climates, a 1110128 re.-

silient material than concrete might be de "sired on which the treads of the vehicle n ight travel. Forthis purpose, the tracks are made with depressions, having undercut valls and a Wearing strip of material other hen the track material, such as asphalt, brick or some combination of bituminous binder with LlJIOliGIl stone or gravel basis isiintroduced therein, such strip. covering the jointsin the tracks therebyprote-cting them and at :the same time, making a continuous unjointed strip on' which the treads of said vehicles may travel. i

lVhat I claim is.':-- "f The combination of tracks and ties having grooves in their jiixtaposed surfaces; 2. The coin. ination of tracks and ties having registering grooves. in "their juxtaposed surfaces. y

The combination of precast tracks and precast ties having registering grooves: in men juxtaposed surfaces.

- 15. A roadway surfaces.

4'.- The combination of tracks and ties,

grooves in 1 having reTe-n'trant registering their juxtaposed surfaces; V 5. The combination of precast tracks and precast ties having re-entraiit registering grooves in their juxtaposed surfaces.

6. The combination oiftraclrs andY'tie's having grooves in their juxtaposedsurfaces and keysconnecting said. tracks and tree.

.7. The combination of pre-ca'st'tracks and pre-cast tracks and precast ties;

8. The combination io-f traclrs and ties having registering. grooves in their juxtaposed surfaces tracks and ties- 1 pro-cast ties having grooves in their juxta posed surfaces and keys. connecting said aridlreysconnecting said" 9 The combination of pro-cast'traclrs'aiid" pro-cast ties having. registering groovesin'" ing said tracks and ties.

their juxtaposed "surfaces, and keys connect 10; A roadloed composed of tracks resting V .on ties which; have grooves in their upper surface. V i

11. A roadway composed of tracks having grooves on their under surface; resting upon.

ties havinggrooves in jtheir upi'per surface,

thesaid grooves in said tracks and ties registering in. alignment.

.12. A roadway composed of tracks, connected by ties attached to said tracks by means of keys inserted in registering grooves in said tracks and ties. i A ro.adway composed of precast tracks resting on precast.- ties having grooves in their upper surfaces.

ion

14.. A roadway composed of precast" tracks having grooves on their under surface resting upon, precast ties, havinggrooves in their upper. surface, the said grooves in the said. tracks; and ties registering in alignment." V v v composed ;of precast tracks connected by precast ties and attachedto said tracks by keys inserted" in registering groovesfinsaid tracks and ties. 16. A centertrael for a roadwaycon-- sisting of parallel. juxtaposed tracks having grooves in their adjgaccnt surfaces.

17. A center traclrfor a roadway consisting of parallel juxtaposed tracks having registe-ring grooves in their adjacent 18. Acenter track for a roadway consisting of parallel juxtaposed tracksv having registeringundercut grooves in their adjacent surfaces. 2 1 19. A center track fora ro dway sisting ofparallel juxtaposed tracks nectedtog flier by a k y." q

20. A; center track for aj-roadway con isting parallel juxtaposed. tracks 11, ingregis nig grooved tl -ir adjacent surfaces and a -lrey inserted therein connecting the two tracks. r l

ias

'ing of paralleljuxtaposed tracks 21. A center track for aroadway consisthaving registering undercutgrooves in their adjacent surfaces and a key inserted therein con necting the two tracks.

f 22. center tracl; fora roadway consisting of parallel juxtaposed tracks the parts connected together by a key,- The combination of a center track made up or 'a multiple of parallelfparts' connected by 'lreys.

;- 2a. The "combination of made connected by keys. i 5. A centre trackflfor'a roadway conted to cross tree by keys.

26 A centre track for a roadway,

con

posed Or a multiple otiparalleltracks; said grooves on the having undercut grooves on the under sur race "'taereoi, side tracks having uncle having undercut grooves'on' the 'under-su 1 races thereon side tracks having undercut tracks being connected to. cross tiesby keys, 27. The .COi'llblIittlOii fOi a centre track.

composed"oi multipl of parallelftraclrs,

undercut grooves in the under surfaces of the tracks crossv tles witl" undercut groo.

their upper surfaces and keys connecting said traclrs and ties' e v combination of a centre tract:

1 grooves on the under surfaces thereoi' s tr'aclrs' resting on ties having .un'dercut upper-surfaces thereo'h and keys connecting said tracks and ties.

29. The combination of centre track composed of a multiple or parallel tracks,

moves on the under surfaces thereof,

tracks rest ng on ties having' under grooves on the upper surfaces thereof. and

keys connecting said tracks and ties'.

Ties for a roadway connected a lr to a side track and also connected by ya to all parts of a center track.

31. in H tracl said ties overlapping in of d roadway.

tracks by keys, said ties overhe centre. or said roadway:

roadway the combination of ties is, said tiesbeing connected toall a centre track and to one side traclt.

In a roadway, the combination of precast ties and preacasttracks, said tiesbeing-connected to all parts of a'centre track and to one side track.

in afroadway the combination ofitics and tracks connected by keys said ties being connected to allparts of a. centre track andto one s de track.

' 36. In a roadway; ties, undercut grooves in'the upper suriaceof said t es, tracks support-ed upon the said'ties, undercut grooves a center traclr .E 1 1 Q 1,. up Oi a multiple of parallel precast grooves and a roadway ties connected to'sideroadway ties connected to side intheunder surface of said tracks, said grooves in said-ties-and in said tracks regof said ties and integral therewith.

38, In a roadway, pre-cast ties; undercut grooves in the upper surface of said ties pre cast tracks supporteduponthe said t1es, un-' dercut tracks,

tracks grooves in the unde surface of said said grooves in said' tiesand in said registering, keys in said registering V inernent means on the upper surtacect said ties. r g 7 39. 1 In a roadway, pro-cast ties, undercut oov'es in the: upper .surface of saidties r iecasttraclrs supported upon the said ties idercut groovesin the under surface 0,: tracks said grooves in said ties and in said tracks registering, keys'in said registeriig. grooves and alineinent means on the upper surface: of said ties and integral therewith. i

' 40. In a roadway, side tracks resting uponities, a central track composed of a multiple of parallel tracks resting upon ties, undercut groovesin the'upper surface 01" ,said ties, undercut grooves in .the: under surface of said trackspsaid grooves in said ties and in said tracks registering, keys in said registering grooves, said ties being discontinuous-across said roadway.

ll. in roadway, side tracks resting upon ties. acentral track composed of a multiple of parallel: tracks resting uponties, undercut grooves in the upper surface of said tics, undercut grooves in the under surface of said tracks, said grooves in said ties and in said tracks registering, keys in sai l nately connecting opposite side tracks with said central tracln 4-2. in a roadwrq'r side tracks resting up- I on hes, a central track composed of a Ill L11.

tiple 01" paralleltraclrs resting upon ties,

. undercut grooves i the upper surface of said ties undercut grooves in the under surface of said tracks, said grooves in said ties and in said tracks, registering, keys in said registering grooves, said ties being discontinuous across vsaid roadway, alter nately connecting opposite side tracks with said central track and overlapping trans versely beneath said central track. l

' 43. In roadway, tracks supported upon ties, undercut grooves in the under surface of said tracks, undercut grooves 1n the upper registering grooves, said ties alter surface of said ties, said grooves in said tracks and in said ties registering, keys in said grooves, said ties being increased in thickness beneath thesaid tracks.

44-. In a roadway, pre-cast tracks supported upon pre-cast ties, undercut grooves in the under surface of said tracks, undercut grooves in the upper surface of said ties, said grooves in said tracks and in said ties registering, keys insaid'grooves, said ties being increased in thickness beneath the said tracks. 1

45. In a roadway, a tie having a single undercut groove at one end and a multiple 1 of undercut grooves at the other end, and keys, connecting said ties with a side track and with the multiple parts of a centre track. e

a6. In a roadway, a pre-cast tie having a.

single undercut-groove at one end and a multiple of undercut grooves at the other end, and keys, connecting said ties with a pre-cast track at one end and amultiple of keys, connecting said ties with the multiple parts of a pre-cast centre track at the other end.

47. In a roadway, the combination of" having troughs in their upper surfaces with undercut walls.

50. In a roadway, the combination of precast tracks connected to pre-cast ties by keys, said tracks having troughs with un dercut walls in theirupper surfaces.

51. In a roadway, the combination of" tracks connected to ties by keys, said tracks having troughs in their upper surfaces, said troughs being filled with resistant wearing material.

52. In a roadway,-the combination of pre- 7 cast tracks connected to pre-cast 13165 by keys, said tracks having troughs in their upper surfaces, said troughs being filled with resistantwearing material.

53. In a roadway, the combination of tracks connected to ties by keys, said tracks having troughs with undercut walls in their upper surfac'es, said troughs being filled with resistant wearing material.

54. In a roadway, the combination of pre-l cast tracks connected to pre-cast ties by,

keys, said tracks having troughs with un dercut walls in their upper surfaces, said troughs being filled with a resistant wear ing material.

55. In a roadway, the combination of" tracks connected to tiesby keys, and a material of lesser wearing resistance forming the surface ofthe roadway between said tracks. 1

56. Ina roadway, the combination of pre} cast tracks connected to pre-cast ties by keys, and a material of lesser wearing resistance forming the surface of the roadway between said tracks. 57. In a roadway-thecombination of tracks connected to ties by keys, troughs.- 1n the upper surfaces of said tracks, said troughs being filled with a resistant wearing material and a material of lesser wearing resistance forming the roadway between saidv tracks.

58. In a roadway, the combination of pre cast tracks connected to pro-cast ties by k-eys, troughs in'the upper surfaces of: said tracks filled with a resistant wearingmate rial and a. material of lesser wearlng resistance forming the roadway between said tracks.

59; In a roadway having pre cast'tracks resting upon pre-cast ties and connected to said ties by keys inserted in grooves 1n said tracks and ties, means for grouting said keys after insertion in said grooves. V r

60. In a roadway having 'pre-c'ast' tracks resting upon pre-cast ties, and connected to said ties by keys, holes in said tracks for grouting said keys after insertion in grooves in said tracks and ties.

61. A roadway tracks resting upon precast ties and connected to said ties by means of keys witha less resistant superficial material between said tracks. p 62. A combination of precast tracks connected by keys to precast ties with a less resistant superficial material between said tracks. i Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 24th day of October A'.QD., 1919.

HERBERT M. KNIGHT.

composed of precast" 

